Field Level Media
Jul 6, 2019
Brian McCann lined a bases-loaded single into left field to drive in Freddie Freeman with the winning run in the ninth inning, giving the Atlanta Braves a 1-0 win over the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday.
Freeman led off the ninth with a double off the wall against Jose Quijada (0-3), and Josh Donaldson was intentionally walked. The runners advanced to second and third on a Nick Markakis infield grounder, and the Marlins intentionally walked Austin Riley to load the bases.
McCann then hit Quijada's first-pitch fastball for the game-winner.
Atlanta improved to 9-1 against the Marlins this year. The Braves have won the teams' past eight meetings.
The Marlins had a chance in the top of the ninth when Jorge Alfaro led off with a double. But Luke Jackson (4-2) retired the next three, two of them by strikeout, to end the threat.
Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision, each leaving for a pinch hitter after six scoreless innings.
Atlanta's Julio Teheran stopped a streak of three consecutive subpar outings by posting his third scoreless effort of the season against the Marlins. He has not given up a run in 18 innings against Miami this year.
Teheran staggered early, but he used his fastball and slider -- as well as two fine defensive plays from shortstop Dansby Swanson -- to keep the Marlins off the board. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out six.
Miami's Jordan Yamamoto didn't allow a hit until McCann lined a 3-2 pitch to center field with two outs in the fifth. He gave up only two hits and three walks while striking out seven, matching his career best. It was his first appearance against Atlanta, which scored 21 runs over its previous two games, both against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yamamoto made two excellent defensive plays. He speared a liner back to the box in the fifth and fielded a sharp grounder in the sixth to end the inning and strand runners on the corner. Yamaoto also picked up his first career hit in the third inning.
The game was delayed for 2 hours, 28 minutes in the top of the eighth inning when a storm front blew into the area.
--Field Level Media